The Imaginary Invalid - Molière

Summary

"Le Malade imaginaire" (The Imaginary Invalid) by Molière centers on Argan, a wealthy hypochondriac obsessed with his health and doctors. He believes he is constantly ill and spends exorbitant amounts on useless medical treatments, much to the exasperation of his intelligent maid, Toinette, and his sensible brother, Béralde. Argan's primary goal is to ensure he always has a doctor close at hand, so he decides his eldest daughter, Angélique, must marry Thomas Diafoirus, the clumsy and dull son of a physician. Angélique, however, is deeply in love with Cléante. Argan's second wife, Béline, feigns devotion but secretly hopes Argan will die so she can inherit his fortune, and she tries to persuade him to disinherit his daughters. Toinette, with the help of Béralde, orchestrates various schemes to expose Béline's true nature, to show Argan the absurdity of his medical obsession, and to allow Angélique to marry Cléante. The climax involves Argan feigning death to test the loyalty of his wife and daughter, revealing Béline's greed and Angélique's true affection. The play ends with Argan agreeing to Angélique's marriage on the condition that Cléante becomes a doctor, or better yet, Argan himself becomes one in a humorous mock ceremony.

Book Sections

Section 1

The play opens in Argan's study as he meticulously tallies his pharmacy bills, lamenting the expense of his numerous enemas, purges, and medicines. He is utterly absorbed in his perceived illnesses and complains about their cost, yet he is convinced he cannot live without them. His maid, Toinette, overhears him and immediately challenges his hypochondria, pointing out his robust health despite his constant complaints. Their banter establishes Argan's tyrannical nature and Toinette's sharp wit and defiance. Argan reveals his plan to marry his daughter, Angélique, to Thomas Diafoirus, the son of his doctor, Monsieur Diafoirus, primarily so he can have a physician in the family and receive free medical care. Angélique, however, is in love with Cléante, a young man of her own choosing. Argan's second wife, Béline, arrives and showers Argan with feigned affection, agreeing with all his complaints and subtly pushing him towards disinheriting his daughters in her favor, especially after hearing about Angélique's preferred suitor. Argan, blinded by Béline's flattery, is easily swayed. Toinette tries to defend Angélique and expose Béline's true intentions but is repeatedly dismissed or threatened by Argan.

Literary Genre

"Le Malade imaginaire" is a comedic play, specifically a farce and a satire, characteristic of Molière's work. It's also categorized as a comédie-ballet because it was originally interspersed with music and dance, which was a popular form of entertainment at the court of King Louis XIV.

Author Facts

• Real Name: Molière was the stage name of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin.
• Birth and Death: Born in Paris in 1622 and died in 1673.
• Family Background: His father was an upholsterer and valet de chambre to the King, and Molière initially studied law.
• Career: He abandoned a career in law to pursue theatre. He founded his first theatre company, the Illustre Théâtre, in 1643.
• Royal Patronage: After years of touring the provinces, his company gained the patronage of King Louis XIV in 1658 and became the King's troupe du Roi.
• Leading Man and Playwright: Molière himself often played the lead roles in his plays, including the role of Argan in "Le Malade imaginaire."
• Death on Stage: Famously, Molière collapsed on stage during the fourth performance of "Le Malade imaginaire" while playing Argan. He died a few hours later, still refusing to recant his profession (as actors were not allowed Christian burial at the time).
• Themes: His plays often satirized the hypocrisy of society, the medical profession, the bourgeoisie, religious bigots, and social climbers.
• Legacy: Molière is considered one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature and his plays are still widely performed today.

Moral and Curiosities

Moral ("Moraleja")

The primary moral of "Le Malade imaginaire" is a critique of excessive hypochondria and blind faith in authority, particularly the medical profession of his time. Molière highlights the absurdity of allowing fear and self-delusion to dictate one's life and control one's family. It advocates for common sense, rational thinking, and genuine affection over superficial appearances and self-serving manipulation. The play suggests that true health lies not in endless remedies but in a balanced life and a cheerful disposition. It also champions individual freedom and love against forced marriages based on financial or social convenience.

Curiosities

1. Molière's Final Play: "Le Malade imaginaire" was Molière's last play. During its fourth performance on February 17, 1673, Molière, playing Argan, suffered a seizure on stage. He insisted on finishing the performance but collapsed afterward and died a few hours later at his home. This dramatic end has become one of the most famous anecdotes in theatre history.
2. Critique of 17th-Century Medicine: The play is a scathing satire of the medical practices of Molière's era. Doctors are depicted as pompous, ignorant, and more interested in their fees and maintaining their reputation than in their patients' well-being. They relied heavily on ineffective and often harmful remedies like purges, enemas, and bloodletting. Molière, having suffered from various ailments himself, was very skeptical of the medical establishment.
3. Comédie-ballet: "Le Malade imaginaire" is a comédie-ballet, a genre Molière developed with the composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. These productions combined spoken comedy with elaborate musical interludes and ballets. The original production included intermèdes (interludes) with music and dance, often performed by members of the King's court. The final scene, where Argan is "made" a doctor, is a grand ballet.
4. The Role of Toinette: Toinette is one of Molière's most spirited and intelligent servant characters. She often acts as the true moral compass of the play, speaking truth to power and skillfully manipulating situations to benefit Angélique and expose the hypocrisy of others, all while maintaining her comedic charm. Her disguise as a doctor is a highlight of the play.
5. Perpetual Relevance: Despite being a product of its time, the themes of hypochondria, medical quackery, family manipulation, and the clash between individual desire and societal expectations remain highly relevant, which is why the play continues to be performed and enjoyed centuries later.